Making the Most of Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and is situated on the coast where the River Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The city is built on seven hills which give panoramic views over the water front and the ocean. The Baixa, the downtown area of the city, was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake but the city has been redeveloped enough to have been chosen as the European City of Culture in 1994 and to be considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
The city of Lisbon offers shopping, sightseeing, history, art, great choices of accommodation and a vast array of restaurants and bars to sample delicious Portuguese dishes.
Castelo de Sao Jorge
The castle of St George is set on a hill giving panoramic views over Lisbon’s medieval area, known as the Alfama, and also over the River Tagus.
It is thought that the site has had a fortress on it since the 6th century but the present castle was built in the 10th century by the Moors when Lisbon was an important Muslim stronghold.
Parque das Nascoes
Lisbon’s exhibition centre which was redeveloped for the world Expo 98 and is now a fantastic tourist attraction. The Parque is home to Europe’s largest Oceanarium with its 15000 different creatures and plants from 450 different species.
The Parque also has a cable car giving magnificent views over the River Tagus and a variety of restaurants. If you are stying in a villa near Lisbon, you will definitely want to make this a day out.
The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
This museum houses a collection of Far eastern, Egyptian, Armenian, Eastern Islamic, Mesopotamian and Greco-Roman art, European art and a collection of glass and jewels by René Lalique.
The Alfama
The Alfama is the old medieval district of Lisbon which has not been changed much since the days of the Moors. Enjoy browsing through its winding cobbled alleyways to discover markets, churches, historic buildings emblazoned with coats of arms and old style taverns.
Lisbon Cathedral, Largo da Se
This cathedral was the place where St Anthony of Padua was baptized in the 12th century and is home to many important icons and relics.
Belem
When you are staying in a villas near Lisbon, take a tram ride to the west of the city to visit the Belem area to see the huge Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery.
The Monument to the Discoveries is situated on the bank of the river where the Tagus flows into the sea. The monument is 50 metres high and is the shape of a ship’s prow holding a crew of famous Portuguese figures including Henry the Navigator.
The Tower of Belem is a famous Lisbon landmark and is a fortress located right in the middle of the River Tagus. It has magnificent Moorish battlements and towers.
The Jeronimos Monastery is a 16th century monastery built by King Manuel I. It is a World Heritage Monument and according to UNESCO “exemplifies Portuguese art at its best”.
